nysepost.com

BC election underway after weeks of unofficial campaigning ends

According to an Insights West poll released Monday, April 10, Premier Christy Clark's approval rating dropped six points since February to 30%.

The Liberals have pledged to limit the amount you pay in bridge tolls to $500 a year, while the New Democrats say they would eliminate the fees altogether for the Golden Ears and Port Mann bridges.

"The Liberals to suggest that they are releasing a platform for Vancouver Island speaks to I think the 16 years of neglect that most of the communities on Vancouver Island have felt", said Green Party candidate Sonia Furstenau.

"That is the X-factor for us right now because we have seen so many elections where the improbable becomes not just probable but reality", Valentin said in an interview.

The toll caps would go into effect on January 1, 2018.

But if Horgan was intimidated by the Liberal costing of his platform promises, it didn't show. It preserves scheduled increases in BC Hydro rates, which Clark said remain the fifth lowest in North America. Details in the NDP platform, due soon.

All of which served as a handy reaffirmation for why Clark and the Liberals decided not to get into matching the New Democrats dollar-for-dollar on promises to get rid of MSP premiums or to bring in $10-a-day child care. "That's what makes it possible for us to make some of these changes and make some of these investments".

Economy: B.C. leads Canada in job creation and its economic growth has put it among the country's best performers for years, but rural regions are hurting. Translation: NDP-governed Alberta. "Now, more than ever, it is important we stick to our plan".

But that strategy could well be wearing thin.

Housing: The benchmark price for detached properties in Greater Vancouver stood at more than $1.5 million last May, giving rise to complaints about unaffordable homes as tent cities for homeless people sprang up in Victoria and Vancouver. Numerous newcomers at the polls were younger and more open to change. "The BC Greens have never been this high before, provincially or otherwise, in the last couple of weeks in British Columbia".